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The Gauls gained their strength from them, Madame de Sévigné and Napoleon III appreciated their virtues and the pleasures the surroundings had to offer. The thermal springs of the Bourbonnais region have been treating various ailments for thousands of years. They have successfully adapted to changing fashions by offering new answers to modern-day complaints, from stress to the relentless quest for the perfect weight. Say goodbye to stress in Néris-les-Bains! Soak your weary joints in the waters of Bourbon-l'Archambault and feel young again! Be the owner of a Greek god body forever! Thank you Vichy !
Bourbon-l’Archambault
 Borvo, the Celtic god of hot springs, has reached a ripe old age in the Bourbonnais, to which he has given his name. It seemed that Bourbon-l'Archambault (Borvo's "native town") was destined sooner or later to welcome the Sun King. The springs were first discovered by the Romans and came back into fashion in the 17th century thanks to Gaston of Orleans, Louis XIII's brother, who had the "Logis du Roy" built, the spa in which Louis XIV would soothe his royal aches and pains.
Madame de Sévigné, Boileau (of course) and Henrietta Maria, Queen of England, all entrusted their rheumatism and neuralgia to Borvo, who also soothed the sorrows of Madame de Montespan, who died disgraced and forgotten in 1707. If we add Talleyrand, who came to "rehydrate" his intellectual powers, we could say that a brief history of France has been written here.
 One of the clients of the gallo-roman thermal baths could well have uttered the words "tempus fugit". Indeed, the backbone of Bourbon's thermal baths has proved supple enough to enable the splendours of the past to be transformed into the new idols of the third millennium - well-being and fitness. Vitality and Relaxation packages offer a range of thermal treatments. They can last from one to six days, or even longer, involving aquagym, jet or penetrating shower massage, hydromassage, whirlpool baths, partial or total steam-baths etc. - all within a building listed as a historical monument and the restful surroundings of earthenware tiling, coffered ceilings and frescoes.
Tourist Office : +33 (0) 4 70 67 09 79 - www.ot-bourbon.com
Bourbon-l’Archambault Thermal Baths : + 33 (0) 4 70 67 07 88
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Néris-les-Bains
 Néris-les-Bains first came into existence during the Iron Age, when the ancestors of the Gauls became aware of the gases and vapours of the Eaux-Chaudes valley. Néris-les-Bains took on some importance during the 1st century A.D., and can perhaps be seen as a type of hypermarket or Eldorado of Gallo-Roman archaeology. The numerous thermal baths and pools that have sprung up are a testament to the glory of Aquae Nerii.
It was not until the 19th century that taking the waters became fashionable and Néris' once dull complexion began to glow with the construction of luxury hotels, a casino, a theatre, parks and promenades. In the last few years, Néris has become more animated and is at present surfing on the anti-stress wave. As well as three-week State-funded treatments for psychosomatic or neurological conditions, or rheumatism, the town can provide a wide range of discovery packages and treatments called "feel-good breaks" that cater equally well for people who have trouble sleeping (the waters being rich in lithium, a mood-regulator) and for those who simply want to rest.
 Those following in the steps of Roman patricians, Lamartine and Châteaubriand are now offered reflexology or sophrology sessions, Californian massage that tones the body (using essential oils) or the face, or hot stone massage The thermal baths have also perfected various "thermaceutical" products - balms, gels, creams or nutriments full of the active principles contained in the earth and waters of Néris.
Tourist Office : + 33 (0) 4 70 34 04 92
Néris-les-Bains Thermal Centre : + 33 (0) 4 70 03 10 39 - www.thermes-neris.com
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Vichy
 It is true that Madame de Sévigné's constantly praised the waters that miraculously cured the rheumatism in her writing hand. It is also true that Louis XV's daughters and Napoleon's mother came here to take the waters. But it was only with Napoleon III that the one-time Aquis Calidis, central point of the Vichias domain, rapidly increased in popularity.
The Emperor discovered the town in 1861, returned every year and proclaimed himself Vichy's "benefactor". The money rolled in, was used for buildings and parks, and transformed the town into the "Queen of spas". Before the Second World War, Vichy's five hotels welcomed 100,000 patients. Thereafter, the thermal baths never lost their attraction, so powerful were Vichy's waters and reputation.
 The Compagnie fermière de Vichy (CFV) was founded in 1853. It now directly or indirectly provides three hotels with the health-giving Vichy Célestins mineral water. Each of these hotels works in tandem with a thermal or balneotherapy centre (Sofitel with the SPA, Novotel with the Centre Thermal des Dômes and Ibis with the Thermes Callou). There you can find all the health and relaxation methods available: for example, the "Imperial" programme, Health and Vitality, Slimming and Back into Shape, Beauty and Complexion, Well-Being and Young Mother, even Well-Being for Men. In 2006, the CFV launched a programme entitled "Slim in Vichy", with a new holistic approach towards weight-loss, associating body care with exercise and healthy eating. Vichy’s aim is to be the European leader in the weight-loss sector.
Tourist Office : + 33 (0) 4 70 98 71 94
Vichy Thermal Baths : + 33 (0) 800 30 00 63 (free call) or + 33 (0) 4 70 97 59 59 - www.destinationvichy.com
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